A Simple Christmas 2005...

... a resource guide prepared by the
St Philip Neri Peace & Justice Commission

Christmas Traditions That Work for You

Christmas celebrations are made of many elements, such as gifts, food, family and faith. Our celebrations are an expression of what we value. And yet sometimes, we may feel like we "have" to continue our traditions even if they have lost their meaning. Why not take the time this year to reevaluate your family's Christmas celebrations to make sure they do in fact reflect your values? The following activity can help to guide your family discussion.

1. Gather your family members and ask that everyone reflect in silence for a few minutes on the Christmas traditions that are most meaningful to them. Then ask everyone to share the traditions that came time mind. Do some of your Christmas traditions seem like unwritten laws?

2. Reflect on your traditions as you discuss the following questions:

FAMILY: Do you celebrate with just immediate family or extended family? Are there different generations involved in your Christmas? Do you have to coordinate with another family? Do you travel? Are you happy with the balance between family and self at Christmas?
FRIENDS. Are your friends involved in your Christmas? In what ways? Do you share gifts, activities, meals, decorating? Do you send cards? Does sending cards foster your friendships with others? Do you reach out to distant friends at this time?
FOOD. What role does food play in your Christmas? Do you have special Christmas foods? Cookies, meals, party foods? How much time and money does food preparation take? Do you share food? With whom?
GIFTS. How are gifts - planning, requesting, purchasing or making, wrapping, delivering, opening, paying - woven through your Christmas season? What role does Santa play in your Christmas? Does charity have a part in your gift-giving?
DECORATIONS. Do you decorate your home and life at Christmas? Tree? - live, cut or artificial? Wreath, greens? Advent wreath, manger scene? Candles? Ornaments? Cards?
FAITH. How is God present in all of your Christmas celebrating? What part does Jesus have in your Christmas? How is God present for you personally? As a family, community, or parishioner? In your home? In your activities, use of money and time, food, gifts?

3. Go back through the elements again and ask yourself why each item is included. Is it meaningful to you? Do you do it out of choice or obligation, or both? Does it represent habit, family tradition, religious expression, commercial pressure?

4. End with this closing prayer: God, who offers us at Christmas a meeting of heaven and earth, a glimpse of past and future, a moment of continuity and change, this season help us create a celebration shaped with beauty and delight, in our eyes and in yours. Amen.

Return to Simple Christmas 2005 Main Page

Last updated November 22, 2005
A project of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church

	A Simple Christmas 2005...
	... a resource guide prepared by the St Philip Neri Peace & Justice Commission
Christmas Traditions That Work for You Christmas celebrations are made of many elements, such as gifts, food, family and faith. Our celebrations are an expression of what we value. And yet sometimes, we may feel like we "have" to continue our traditions even if they have lost their meaning. Why not take the time this year to reevaluate your family's Christmas celebrations to make sure they do in fact reflect your values? The following activity can help to guide your family discussion. 1. Gather your family members and ask that everyone reflect in silence for a few minutes on the Christmas traditions that are most meaningful to them. Then ask everyone to share the traditions that came time mind. Do some of your Christmas traditions seem like unwritten laws? 2. Reflect on your traditions as you discuss the following questions: FAMILY: Do you celebrate with just immediate family or extended family? Are there different generations involved in your Christmas? Do you have to coordinate with another family? Do you travel? Are you happy with the balance between family and self at Christmas? FRIENDS. Are your friends involved in your Christmas? In what ways? Do you share gifts, activities, meals, decorating? Do you send cards? Does sending cards foster your friendships with others? Do you reach out to distant friends at this time? FOOD. What role does food play in your Christmas? Do you have special Christmas foods? Cookies, meals, party foods? How much time and money does food preparation take? Do you share food? With whom? GIFTS. How are gifts - planning, requesting, purchasing or making, wrapping, delivering, opening, paying - woven through your Christmas season? What role does Santa play in your Christmas? Does charity have a part in your gift-giving? DECORATIONS. Do you decorate your home and life at Christmas? Tree? - live, cut or artificial? Wreath, greens? Advent wreath, manger scene? Candles? Ornaments? Cards? FAITH. How is God present in all of your Christmas celebrating? What part does Jesus have in your Christmas? How is God present for you personally? As a family, community, or parishioner? In your home? In your activities, use of money and time, food, gifts? 3. Go back through the elements again and ask yourself why each item is included. Is it meaningful to you? Do you do it out of choice or obligation, or both? Does it represent habit, family tradition, religious expression, commercial pressure? 4. End with this closing prayer: God, who offers us at Christmas a meeting of heaven and earth, a glimpse of past and future, a moment of continuity and change, this season help us create a celebration shaped with beauty and delight, in our eyes and in yours. Amen. Return to Simple Christmas 2005 Main Page
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Last updated November 22, 2005 A project of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church